Early Offseason Rumors

I was never a fan of Rios when he played here with the White Sox- inconsistent is a generous term for his performance.  He did have some tools, if any are left.

Hunter creates too many distractions for my taste.  Too many hey-don't-you-want-to-know-what-I-think interviews.  I always thought he confused leadership with talking a lot (and throwing a punch).

I'd be fine with Masterson. Hunter and Rios don't do anything for me and I'd just as soon put Rosario in left field.

I'm just not on the Masterson bandwagon. His declining velocity concerns me - he's certainly not in the same class as Pelfrey / Correia / Marquis (IE: retreads) - but I fear his numbers are pointing towards a decline. He may be nothing more than a bad lottery ticket. If we're rolling the dice, let's go with youth.

As for the LF / CF conundrum. I'm on board with Aoki as a possible LF fill in or Rasmus as the starting CF option. I don't see the Twins signing two OFs - so some blend of Hicks / Rasmus or Aoki / Arcia with Schafer off the bench works for me.

I don't want Hunter. At all. Bad defense, declining bat. If they want him to mentor, hire him as a coach. I don't want him in LF.

Rios...meh. On a one year deal he could be serviceable, but I wouldn't go any longer than that. By 2016, the Twins OF situation could look a whole lot different - I'd rather not have aging veterans blocking the way.

Not saying Rosario is my top choice, but if the other options are the remains of Torii or Alex Rios, of whom I've never been a fan, I say roll with it, baby. Santana wasn't ready last year.

I like the Masterson possibility.  With any luck, he could be Phil Hughes 2.0

I've been thinking about Plouffe in the OF once Sano is ready. 

Santana was pulled from AA, so was Kennys Vargas.  They didn't play at all in AAA.  I would also say that they where not necesarily hitting the snot out of the ball either..

I agree that we shouldn't use Aaron Hicks as an example not to bring up young players.  The problem with Aaron Hicks is looking more like a Aaron HIcks problem and not a being brought up too young.

I am fine with Hicks/Shaffer until other options arrive,  there is not a free agent outfielder that would interest me.

Man, I keep having thoughts of that Red Sox package of Lester, Masterson, Crisp, Lowrie with Bowden as a throw-in for Santana. But we wanted Ellsbury. Or so the rumors flew waaaaay back when.

I'm thinking the Twins may play it slow in the free agent marketplace, as their needs do run more towards a one-year contract, unless the starter of their dreams at a workable 2-3 year price leaps in front of their headlights. 

Most players will be pushing for those multi-year deals, especially those over 34 or so for sure. But there are only so many roster spots and so much money, so we might find someone still kicking tires after everyone's card is full the closer the Twins get to spring training...but hopefully sooner.

They need a bat who can play the outfield, and/or backup somewhere else. We need a starter who will start games. We might be looking for some cheaper bullpen arms if we don't spend money on Duensing and Swarzak again. And a backup catcher would be great if we want Pinto to start fulltime in Rochester.

We have the centerfield mess of Hicks, Rosario, Scheafer, Buxton if he fires up spring training, or can always move Santana back out there if Eddie and Aaron go to Rochester, and we hope there is no second season slump (as well as one for Vargas).

Masterson is a lot like Hughes was last year, coming off a down year. Hughes has been good in even years and not good in odd years. Masterson is the other way good in odd years and not so much in even years. Their good years are a lot alike as are their bad years.

You can never have enough good pitching and he can be good at times.

We're already rolling the dice on a few other pitchers, including some youth (May/Meyer).  Adding Masterson doesn't guarantee anything, but it gives us an extra dice roll.

Could end up being an expensive dice roll. 

Cards trade Shelby Miller to the Braves for Jason Heyward. 4 yrs of Miller for one year of Heyward? Not sure about this one.

I will be angry if the Twins sign Materson, which keeps May and Meyer in AAA all season.  Materson's velocity has dropped significantly to the point that he barely cracks 90 on his fastball.  DO we REALLY need a right handed version of Milone?  A junkballer?  I just don't see the logic of this.  May and Meyer will BOTH be better pitchers then Materson, Nolasco and Gibson.  This is utter stupidity signing this guy.  If the Indians want nothing to do with him, you can bet he's damaged goods.  

If you believe that Sano can stick at 3B, then Plouffe should be traded by July.  He'll be over 30 by then time the Twins are in a position to contend again - I believe his value is as high as it ever will be.  If the outfield is still a mess at that time, trade him for a younger outfielder rather than force-fitting him into that role.  Otherwise, trade him for pitching.

 

If Sano doesn't come back strongly, you can hang onto Plouffe a while longer unless you want to slot Escobar in at 3B.

I agree with this completely. Plouffe is one of your best trading chips. If Sano proves to be ready, use Plouffe as an asset and aquire a player in another area where you are deficient. Don't just try to shoehorn him into LF. Escobar at 3B is always a short-term option till Sano is ready.